In fire, all things renewed.
“[Y]ou must be ready to burn yourself in your own flame; how could you rise anew if you have not first become ashes?” ~ Friedrich Nietzsche
We come, once again, to that season when the universe conspires to rouse the Phoenix within – winds from its wings whispering: you’ll never become what you can be by clinging to what you are.
It’s a message I see echoed everywhere in Spring. In nature, plants flourish into full bloom – life made possible by a willingness to shed things meant for past seasons. In churches across the country, pastors give their annual Easter account of Christ’s death and resurrection, telling the story of a man who embraced death in the ultimate act of love so that humanity might be redeemed.
Which brings me back to the Phoenix. The creature that knows it must burst into flames when it grows old if it hopes to be, and remain, the thing that can heal the world’s wounds with its tears. The beautiful beast that, like Christ, must die to save. (Perhaps it’s no coincidence that the latin initials of the words carved into cross – INRI – can mean both “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews” or “[i]n fire, all things renewed.”)
Now, it seems to me that these stories are worth remembering, regardless of religion. Often. Because, irrespective of literal truth, the call of the Phoenix and the command of Christianity threading through these stories syncs so perfectly with how to develop as individuals.
To progress, psychologically, we must sacrifice, continually, pieces of who we are if we hope to live a life of ascension. We must release things that, and often people who, weigh us down, despite the fact we once held them dear. We must remain ready to torch worn-out habits and willing to abandon outdated beliefs we built our life around, despite how wounding it will be.
Indeed, it’s painful business, the life of a Phoenix. But remember its promise of life when you feel its flutter. Fear not, the flames. Light the match in faith to what comes after. Realize it’s selfish, not noble loyalty, to cling to things at the expense of you might be. Releasing things no longer meant for you is nothing short of the ultimate act of love.
Because you’ll never become what you can be if you keep holding onto to who you are.